Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, is dead. He died at the age of 87.
A former Minister of Finance and the Sardaunan Sokoto, family sources confirmed on Thursday that the elder statesman passed away in Abuja.
Alhaji served as Minister of State for Budget and Planning in 1988 before his appointment as Minister of Finance, a position he held from 1990 to 1991 during the military administration of former President General Ibrahim Babangida.
He also served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1992 to 1996, where he played a key role in strengthening diplomatic and bilateral relations between both countries.
A distinguished career civil servant, Alhaji rose through the ranks to become Permanent Secretary, serving in several strategic ministries, including Finance, Trade, Industry and National Planning.
Beyond public service, he was widely respected as the Sardaunan Sokoto, one of the highest traditional titles in the Sokoto Caliphate. He was turbaned in 1990, succeeding the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. In that capacity, he was regarded as a respected statesman who served as a bridge between government, the traditional institution and the people.
The family said details of his funeral arrangements would be announced in due course in accordance with Islamic rites.
